VFL Strength & Conditioning Coach

St Kilda Football Club; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 83,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

On site LINTON STREET café

Free access to Gym & Aquatics at Danny

Saints tickets

Free parking onsite

Discounted Saints memberships

New BALANCE discounts

Saints linen pricing

Discounted movie tickets

Job summary

St Kilda Football Club is seeking a VFL Strength & Conditioning Coach to support the delivery of our high-performance program. This is a 12-month maximum term, part-time role, working 12 hours per week with a split seasonal pattern for pre-season and in-season blocks.

The role involves delivering gym and on-field coaching, supporting rehabilitation and player load management, and assisting with testing, GPS monitoring and performance data collection.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science or equivalent.
• ASCA Level 1 accreditation.
• Experience providing strength and conditioning services to athletes.
• Understanding of Australian Rules Football and the physical demands of the game.
• Strong coaching skills with safe exercise execution and clear feedback.

Responsibilities

• Deliver strength and conditioning sessions under guidance of the VFL High Performance Manager.
• Coach safe and effective movement in gym and on-field; lead warm-ups.
• Support rehabilitation with on-field, gym and cross-training sessions.
• Assist with player load management and match-day workloads.
• Assist with physical testing and GPS data collection and interpretation.
• Collaborate with medical and performance staff to develop practice.

Skills

Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science

ASCA Level 1 accreditation

Experience with S&C for athletes

Understanding of Australian Rules/Ftbd

Coaching and feedback skills

Education

Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, Human Movement or equivalent

Australian Strength and Conditioning Association Level 1 accreditation

Tools

GPS monitoring

Job description

Introduction

Careers at the St Kilda Football Club represent a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic culture, where we recognise every individual impacts team success. It’s a place where we lift, support, and challenge each other to be greater. And in that pursuit of greatness, we embrace the grit our journey requires.

The Club is at a pivotal moment in its history. With our AFL and AFLW programs building the Club into a new era, there is a palpable sense of excitement and possibility. This is an extraordinary time to join the team, as we implement a newly developed 5-year transformational strategy that will shape our future. As part of this transformation, we are building a legacy - and the timing of this opportunity is unprecedented.

We’re seeking a VFL Strength & Conditioning Coach to support the delivery of our VFL high-performance program, helping players develop their physical capabilities, prepare for competition and progress through rehabilitation.

Reporting to the VFL High Performance Manager, this is a 12-month maximum term, part-time role, with the possibility of continuing.

The role works 12 hours per week, with the following seasonal pattern:

• Pre-season: Monday 4-9pm Wednesday 4-9pm Friday 5:30-8:30am.
• In-season: Tuesday 4-8:30pm Thursday 4-8:30pm Match day: 4 hours

You’ll deliver gym and on-field coaching, support rehabilitation and player load management, and assist with physical testing, GPS monitoring and performance data collection.

Careers at the St Kilda Football Club offer a unique chance to work in a dynamic, high-performance environment where every individual impacts team success. We lift, support, and challenge each other to be greater, embracing the grit and resilience required on our journey.

With our VFL, AFL, and AFLW programs driving the Club into a new era, this is a truly exciting time to join us. Now in our second year having secured a VFL license, we have strengthened our competitive edge, creating a seamless pathway between VFL and AFL and unlocking new opportunities for player development and sustained success. It also creates career pathways and development opportunity for employees. This comes as we implement a newly developed 5-year Club transformational strategy that will shape our future.

About The Role

• Deliver strength and conditioning sessions: Assist with individual and team strength, power, conditioning, speed and recovery sessions under the guidance of the VFL High Performance Manager.
• Coach safe and effective movement: Provide technical coaching in the gym and on-field, lead warm‑ups and help players execute exercises effectively.
• Support rehabilitation: Deliver on-field, gym and cross‑training rehabilitation sessions under the direction of the VFL High Performance Manager and Physiotherapists.
• Assist with player load management: Support training and match‑day workloads, balancing immediate performance needs with long‑term physical development and injury‑risk reduction.
• Support testing and performance monitoring: Assist with physical testing and GPS technology, accurately collect and manage performance data, and use findings to inform practice.
• Collaborate and keep developing: Work closely with medical and performance staff, contribute to a high‑performance culture, and apply relevant research, technology and sport science practices.

About You

• You’re a capable, engaged coach who builds strong relationships with athletes and takes a practical, evidence‑informed approach to physical development. You bring:
• A Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, Human Movement or equivalent qualification.
• Australian Strength and Conditioning Association Level 1 accreditation.
• Experience providing strength and conditioning services to athletes, with the ability to develop programs and deliver coaching to individuals and groups.
• An understanding of Australian Rules Football and the physical demands of the game.
• Strong technical coaching skills, with a focus on safe exercise execution and clear, constructive feedback.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with athletes, coaches, medical staff and performance colleagues.
• Strong attention to detail when collecting performance data, monitoring workloads and delivering prescribed programs.
• The ability to translate research and performance information into practical coaching decisions.
• A commitment to continuous learning and using relevant technology and sport science practices to improve coaching and player outcomes.

Desirable Experience

• Strength and conditioning coaching within Australian Rules Football, with experience in other elite sports also welcomed.
• Supporting semi‑professional or professional athletes, preferably in a team sport environment.
• Australian Strength and Conditioning Association Level 2 accreditation.
• Delivering rehabilitation sessions in collaboration with medical and performance staff.
• Using GPS technology, physical testing and athlete performance data to inform training and load management.

What We Offer

• Fantastic culture of grounded people, passionate about what they do
• On site LINTON STREET café
• Free access to Gym & Aquatics Facilities at our Danny Frawley Centre for Health & Wellbeing
• Access to x4 General Admission tickets to every Saints home game @ Marvel
• Free parking onsite
• Discounted Saints memberships and merchandise
• Up to 40% discount on selected NEW BALANCE products
• Saints‑only Linen House product pricing
• Discounted movie tickets through Hoyts

Our Mantras

Excellence in everything we do

• In equal parts, support and challenge each other to be greater.
• Lead the way in pursuing innovation and positive impact.
• Lift from within to challenge what’s possible, and what we can do better

Team‑based approach always

• Recognise every individual impacts team success.
• Harness the power of collaboration and diverse voices.
• Communicate to optimise effort and impact

Building an enduring legacy

• As trusted custodians, represent the Club, members and fans with pride and purpose.
• Leave a stronger Club for tomorrow, than the one you inherited today.
• Protect, and pass on, a place of belonging for future Saints.

If you connect with our mantras, who the Saints are and where we are headed, this is a brilliant opportunity for a talented professional to join us.

Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalized folks tend to only apply when they check every box. So if you think you have what it takes, but don't necessarily meet every single point above, please still get in touch. We'd love to have a chat and see if you could be a great fit.

Applications will close at 5pm on Friday, 6 November. Short‑listing of candidates will commence prior to the closure of this role, so please do not delay submitting your application.

The St Kilda Football Club is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply. This includes, but is not limited to, those from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and LGBTQI+ communities.

We are committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and fostering a "child safe" culture. It is essential that anyone involved with the St Kilda Football Club understands their responsibility in relation to child safety and supports such an environment.